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What is the difference between a mass and a niche target audience?

What is the difference between a mass and a niche target audience?

A mainstream text has a wider and less specific target audience than a niche text may do, due to aspects such as airing time, scheduling, subject content (for example cast members, storyline etc) and mode of address. A niche text is generally less popular than a mainstream text, and also has the following of a niche audience (in comparison to a mainstream text which is followed by a mass audience).

Explain why a media text can be 'mainstream' and why a media text can be 'alternative'. Giving two different examples of media texts for each definition. 

Mainstream Media

Mainstream media outlets are found on television, radio, online and in newspaper and other publication forms. They include internationally recognised TV networks such as BBC, CBS, ABC and NBC, as well as national and international news channels like CNN and BBC World News. They also include large newspapers like The Guardian and The New York Times, mainstream media sources are normally easy to find, and they reach large audiences.

Alternative Media 

Alternative media outlets tend to be smaller, and in many cases are polarised towards conservative and liberal perspectives. Much like mainstream media, alternative or independent media outlets are found online, on the radio, in newspapers or other publications and to a lesser extent, on television. For example, Democracy Now! is an American alternative news program broadcast online, on television and on the radio in certain finite areas of the country. Many alternative, or niche media outlets have considerably less funding and smaller budget margins than mainstream media, so it if often easier to find alternative media sources online, since creating a website is typically less expensive than operating a radio or television station.

Audience 

The audience for mainstream media sometimes prefer these outlets because they are so much easier to find. Alternative media outlets have to make a bigger effort into garnering and maintaining an audience. Many alternative media audiences do not trust mainstream media, or believe they ignore certain stories or details in the news. Some people prefer to tune into both mainstream and alternative media in order to get a variety of perspectives. 

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